Electric snap switch



Feb. 1,1927. y 1,616,000

A. E. RAQU ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed Jan. 28, 1925' 177,10 ./rllzul' Elagu..

y Wa@ 1 switch whereby a rapi Patented Feb. 1,1 1927.1v

l mann, or K 'I '-fnnncrnrc errar application ma January as, serial no. 5,242.

This invention relates toean electric snap switch. `Theobject of theinvention is the production of a sprin controlled snap make and break switching mechanism is obtained. The second'object of the invention is the production of a snap switch whereby a hlgh amperage can be used. The third object of the invention isthe production 'of a' switch with contact elements that are Self cleaning. The fourth objectof the invention is the production of a Vswitch that can be easily and quickly clamped in place. ha'

Fig. 1 represents an elevation .of an enlarged snap switch connected to a support;4

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged top plan view of the switch; 3 indicates a section of Fig. 2 on the line 3, 3'with the make and break mechanism in its oli or open position; Fig. 4 shows a section-of Fig. 2 on the line 4,* 4 with the make and break switch mechanism in its on or closed fposition; Fig. 5 indicates a top plan view o a detail as indicated in Fig. 3; Fi 6 represents a side view of a detail as s own in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 shows a top plan view of Fig. 6' Fig. 8 represents a top plan view of a deta' as shown `inFi .2; Fig. 9 shows a fragmentary ortion of ig. 4 with a modification, and ig. 10'shows a fragmentary portion of Fig. `3 on a reduced scale with a modification.

The snap switch is indicated to comprise a barrel'2() with the flattened sides 21, the

upper flange 22, the axial opening 23 and the exterior. threads`24. A clamplng nut 28 engages the threads A metallic washer 29 is interposed between the said nut and the support `30. The vlatter has an opening 31 through which the barrel 20 exten second clamping nut 32 engages the threads 24, and bears on the top face of the support A binding Post Support is indicated with the disc shaped body portion 35 which has extending therefrom the arm 36. A binding A,post plug 38 with its usual screw 39 is 'supportedon the arm 36. A lead wire 40 for electric 'current is connected to the plug 38.

A disc 43 of electric insulating material sur- -onjgthe top face of the disc 43. Asecond binding post su port is indicated with the disc shaped bo y portion 48 which bears on the metallic disc arid has formed there-` with the arm 49 and the upwardlylxtendlng' supporting contact posts 50. air gap 51 is indicated between the disc 45, the por.

tion 48 and the barrel 20. A binding post plug 52 similar to 38 is supported on the arm 49 and is provided with the usual screw 53, for the lead wire 54 of the electric circuit.

Upon the top face of the body portion 48 is supported the disci 55 of electric insulating material which has formed therein a pair of openings 56 to provide clearance for the w' 46 andthe contact posts 50, and a lplurality 'of notches 57 at its circuignferenA` tial edge. A bow spring with the body portion 60v surrounds the barrel 2O and bears on the disc. 55. A pair of spring arms 61 with theA notches 62 at their upper ends extend from ,the body portion 60. Anopierating plunger is indicated with the cy ndrical` upper portion 65 having the annular locking oove 66 at its top. A push button 67 is indicatedat the lo'wer end of the portion 65. The portion 65 is located in the opening 23 of the barrel 20.

The push button 67 can clear the threads of the nut 28. Locking lates 70 have each formed at one end of t eir side edges the contact jaws 71 and on one end have liormed the concaved locking groove 72. Locking jaws 73 extend from the other end of each plate 70. The-jaws73 engage the notches 62 of the arms 612 and the locking grooves 72 engage the Ioekmg roove 66 of the cylindrica portion 65 of t e operating plunger.

A cupsha led hood 7 5 has formed with its lower edge t e-lugs 76. The lower end of the cylindrical lwall ofthe hood 75 bears pinng'er with its push button 67 constitute the rapid vmake and break switch mechanism of the Vsnap switch.

In .the modification indicated in Fig. 9, only a' portion of the switch is shown, and is indicated with the barrel 20, the nut 32, body portion 35 of one binding post support, the disc 43 the body portion 48 of the second binding post su port with its contact posts 59, the disc 55,7.' e springarm 61, the cylindrical-portionti o itsk operating plunger with its groove 66, the locking piste 70 and the hood 75. in this Inodication it will be with the wings d6 are -on position as indicated in Fig. li, the locking plates 70 are pulled down, so that their contact jaws 7l descend and contact with the cont-act 'posts 50 of the body ortion 8 of one of the post supports, an during the movements of the plates 70 whether down or up they are maintained in proper operative position by contacting with the adjusting wings 46 of the disc 455., Thereby good contact is secured between said jaws 7l, and the posts 50, which are at the saine time maintained clear of dust and dirt. The resilience of the spring armstl imparts an accelerated movement tothe plates 70, after they have passed their dead center on either their upward or downward movements.

it will be noted that the posts 50 are'in electric circuit with the binding post 52 through the body portion e8 and arm i9 of its support, and that the spring arms Si' are in electric circuit with the barrel 20 and the latter is in eiectric circuit with the body portion 85 and its arm 36 ot the binding post 88. rlheretore when 'the contact jaws 71 cont-act with the posts 50,-

the electric circuit of the snap switch is on or closed. The air gap 5l prevents a short circuit in the operating elements oit the switch.

In the modication indicated in Fig, l@ only a portion of the switch is shown, and is indicated with the barrel 20' and its upper flange 22, the nut 32, the body portion dit et one of the bindingpost supports with its binding post 38, the disc 43, the body portion i8 of the second binding p ost support with contact posts 50, only one ot which is shown, the binding post 52, the disc 55,` one spring arm 6l only, extending rom'its body portion 60, the cylindrical portion 65 ot the operating plunger with its groove 66, one locking plate 70 and its hood 75.

Various modifications may be made in the invention and the present exempliiication is to be taken as illustrative and not limitative thereof. v l

Having described my invention what li -desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is: A

l. In a snap switch the combination o-a. movable plunger, contact posts in connection with one of the lead wires of the switch, spring arms in connection with the second lead wire of the switch, a pair of plates with one end of each in Contact relation with one of said spring arms, a plunger in contact relation with the other end of each plate, an adjusting wing adjacent to each contact post for said plates and a plunger in locking' rei lation with said plates adapted to locate them in contact with said contact posts.

in a snap switch the combination of a movable plunger, a pair ci lead wires forA eiectric current, contact posts in connection with one ot the lead wires or" the switch, 'a spring arinin'connection with the second lead wire ost the switch,a plate in locking relation with said spring arm and a plunger in contact relation with said plate, said piunger adapted to locate said plate in contact with said contact posts.,

Staged at the borough ot'li/ianhattan, city ot New York inthe county of New York and State ot New York this 30th day ot December it. D. i924.

ARTE HAQU, 

